Embrace The Suck (A Stepbrother Special Forces Novel)

by Kenzie, Sophia

  We finished up the run, hit the showers, and met for lunch. I made some overly crude comment about showering together, but she refused to acknowledge me. I didn’t mind though; I knew it would happen eventually.

  Then, over lunch, we went through her textbook.

  The Special Forces Training Program is a twenty to twenty-two month program that requires both physical training and classroom training. For her to be a medical sergeant, she would have to not only be able to pass all the medical field tests and be proficient in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Dental, and Veterinary medicine, but she would also need to qualify in the standard tests that every Special Forces operative must take: swimming, parachuting, explosives, and languages. The program as a whole was no walk in the park. These simple tasks I was having her do today were just the very beginning.

  I took her through the start of her book, giving her short quizzes and helpful hints along the way. It was evident that she had studied, and even more evident that she had studied hard. I felt a little bad, trying to sabotage her after she had already put in so much effort, but I had to remind myself that what we did was not to be taken lightly. Aside from the work required, the team spirit being kept up, and the brut strength needed to carry wounded comrades across enemy lines, we killed people. They weren’t good people, but they were still people. And it was not easy. And I wouldn’t wish that role on anyone, especially a woman.

  And especially a woman like Hannah, who had no idea how innocent she still was.

  “I’m impressed.” I had to say, although I wasn’t keen on giving her a compliment. “You know your stuff.”

  She stared at me with her wide, glowing eyes, her book pulled against her chest, not really knowing how to react to a comment that very well could have been a lead in for an insult. “Thank you?”

  “You’re… welcome.” I pushed up out of my chair and made a beeline toward the door.

  Not good Charlie. Don’t let her get to you.

  I brushed my bout of weakness off, and took her to the pool, explaining that within two weeks time, she would need to be able to swim fifty meters, fully clothed, with her boots on. Before letting her respond, or even acknowledge, I pushed her in.

  “What the-?!”

  “Swim.” I ordered, pointing to the other side of the Olympic sized lap pool.

  She began to falter around thirty meters down, only just over the halfway mark of the pool. Her feet began to sink, and she turned around to me with begging eyes before her head fell completely under the water. She spat up, but quickly bobbed back down, and I could tell she was struggling too much to save herself.

  “Fuck.” I grumbled to myself as I pulled off my shirt, my boots, and my cargos. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

  And so I jumped in the water, speedily swimming out to rescue the damsel in distress.

  I brought her back to the pool’s edge without a word, held her in my arms until she caught her breath, and without any more words, we repeated the morning’s activities: fifty-one push-ups, one hundred and fifty sit-ups, and a six-mile run.

  She was angry with herself. There was no doubt about that. And yes, I felt a little bad. I wanted to tell her it was okay. I hadn’t planned on throwing her in the water so soon—she had just done so well in the other areas that I thought she needed to be brought down a peg. I wanted to reveal to her that I didn’t even make it on my first attempt down the lane. And I wanted to scoop her up in my arms and tell her that she didn’t need to prove anything to anyone, and confess that I had more than one reason for not wanting her in the program.

  I actually was starting to care about her.

  But, of course, I didn’t do any of that. I had a reputation to uphold, and a job at stake. Plus, I had known her for less than twenty-four hours. Anything I was feeling was most likely to be blamed on lack of sleep.

  Get it together, Charlie.

  “Training with me starts at oh six hundred hours every day this week. That means you will be here at oh five hundred hours to practice your swimming skills. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, sir.” She nodded, out of breath from finishing another six mile run.

  “The rest of the evening is yours. I suggest you eat a full dinner, and then hit the books.”

  I tried to remain as stringent and to the point as I could, even though I could feel her eyes melting on me.

  She didn’t reply. And I didn’t say anything else. And we both just stood there like a bunch of idiots, pretending there wasn’t an enormous amount of tension, both sexual and otherwise, between us.

  “Oh my God.” She finally laughed.

  “What?” I barked.

  “I got to you.” Her smile spread across her face like she was a child on Christmas morning.

  “What are you insinuating, Private?” I crossed my arms over my chest.

  “Oh no, it’s free time now. You’re Charlie, and I’m Hannah, and while we hate each other during the day because I’m trying to take over your turf and you’re trying to declare your dominance over women, right now, we want to fuck each other.”

  My breath stalled at her candidness. I couldn’t speak.

  She laughed again. “And you’re not even trying to deny it. All day I thought you were some prick who had coaxed me into sleeping with you so you could check off another box in your list of one-night stands, but now I see that you want to do it again.” She took a step toward me. “And again.” Her fingers grazed my stomach, sending chills through my veins. “God, Charlie, you can’t get me out of your head.”

  With another loud laugh, she turned on her heels and began to walk away, leaving me shell shocked. I almost called out to her. I almost reamed her for speaking to me in such a matter.

  But I couldn’t.

  She was absolutely right.

  “What are you waiting for?” She called back to me.

  “Umm--.” I stuttered.

  “I said we both wanted to fuck. Let’s go. Now you’ve got me all antsy.”

  Without a word, a gesture, or even a look, I did what any man would do in that situation: I followed the woman.

  Chapter Ten

  Hannah

  “Well, this is a little different.” I teased as he dropped me down on the bed.

  “Are you going to keep talking? Or is it okay if I fuck your brains out now?”

  “Mmmm,” I twisted my mouth, making him wait to make a move longer than he so obviously wanted to, “I’m rather partial to my brains.”

  He grabbed the elastic on my sweats, the ones I had to change into since he threw me into the pool, and tugged down, bringing my underwear with them. I was utterly exposed, wearing nothing but a tank top, but I didn’t mind one bit. I was comfortable with my body, and I knew what I wanted.

  “You’re a little impatient today, Charlie.” My sweet voice rang through the tense air.

  With a hint of rage, he grabbed my hand, placing it on his stiff package. “That’s because I’ve been having to deal with this all day thanks to you.”

  I have to admit, I was a little proud of myself. Not only that, but the mere thought of what he was about to do with that thing made me soaked.

  “Then, by all means…” I pulled him down on top of me, grabbing for the buckle on his belt.

  Within a matter of seconds, he was inside of me, filling me to the brim with his girth. I moaned at the brief pain of his thickness stretching my insides, but my body became accustomed soon enough, allowing him to push deeper and deeper inside of me.

  We stayed in the missionary position the entire time, which came as a bit of a surprise to both of us, I’m sure. Our eyes kept locked on one another, asking for hints and clues as to what the other wanted and needed. We smiled, we cried out, we moaned together, and he let me come before him. I didn’t care what kind of air he put on while at the base and around his brothers; deep down, Charlie had a sensitive side.

  Unfortunately for me, that wasn’t a good thing. I just wanted a way to release some tension. I definitely
didn’t want to fall for the man who would ultimately decide the fate of my career in the Army.

  “I like sex. Is that a problem?” I dug my spoon into a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream.

  Following our little escapade, I had expected him to ask me to leave. And when he didn’t, after an appropriate amount of cuddling, I even rolled over, planning my escape. But just as my feet hit the ground, he stopped me to ask if I wanted ice cream.

  Truth was, I really did want ice cream.

  “It’s not a problem. I also like sex. And I really like that you like sex.” He snuck a spoonful from the pint.

  Our conversation was casual and light, I talked about my over protective mother, and he talked about his controlling father, I talked about my childhood pet hamster, and he talked about his childhood imaginary friend. It was fun and cute, and although I’d like to believe that we both found each other’s stories truly interesting, it was very obvious that we were mostly interested in checking out each other’s naked bodies post coitus. He had a number of scars across his chest and stomach, and I’m pretty sure I had felt a large one across his back while I was grabbing onto him for dear life as he slammed into me.

  Other than that, he was the absolute definition of perfection. Every one of his muscles was perfectly toned without a hint of fat. His chest was broad, his arms powerful, and his waist small. And if that weren’t enough to make me swoon, he had a nice sized butt for grabbing onto during thrusts.

  I mean, sure his arms were enormous and still unnecessary, but I didn’t seem to mind them when they were holding me.

  Truth was: I studied too much in college. I had the occasional hookups, but only when they were on my terms. But through all that, I had forgotten what it was like to be held by a man, to feel protected, to feel wanted.

  Now that it was happening, I realized it was scary.

  “What time is it?” I looked around for a clock.

  He glanced at his watch. “Just after twenty-one hundred hours.”

  I bit my bottom lip. “Dude. Real people time.” I could have done the math, but my brain was still a little boggled from all the sex.

  He chuckled as he reached out to push a loose strand of hair back behind my ear. “It’s just after nine.”

  I looked down at the almost-finished pint of ice cream. “I guess we missed dinner.”

  “I can whip us up something. What are you in the mood for?” He climbed out of bed, pulling on his boxer briefs.

  While I really was in the mood for more sex, I figured with the intensity of the day, I had better eat something real.

  “Peanut Butter and Jelly?” I questioned, hopefully.

  Charlie lowered down to me, lifting my chin up and planting the sweetest kiss on my lips. “That’s good. Because that’s about all I know how to make.”

  Out of courtesy, and a great deal of confusion, I tried to leave again after sandwiches, and then again after a glass of wine, and then again after another romp in the sack.

  But he wouldn’t have it. He didn’t outwardly ask me to stay, but he kept making excuses for why I shouldn’t leave. And for some reason, I listened to him. I wanted to stay.

  And by the time we fell asleep, cradled in each other’s arms, I wanted to fall in love.

  Chapter Eleven

  Charlie

  When I opened my eyes to the still-darkness of the night, she was silently nestled against my chest. I never allowed women to stay over. Fuck, I never even invited women to my house. I made sure that any sexual encounters happened in a public place or at their residence, allowing me to scram as soon as I bust my load. And although Hannah had offered for the rendezvous to happen at her place, I instead brought her to mine.

  And I’m still not quite sure why.

  “Hey sleepy head.” I whispered as I kissed her forehead.

  “Mmm.” She moaned, curling closer into me.

  “No, no. You have to wake up. It’s four thirty and you have to be in the pool in a half an hour.” I brushed my fingers through her hair.

  “But I’m so tired.” She whined. “Can’t we just have sex and say that I completed my physical fitness portion of today?” Her bright eyes finally opened. “I’ll be on top.”

  Without allowing me to answer, she swung her leg over top of me, and slid my dick inside her already warm, wet sex. I bucked up, helping her ride, and rubbed my thumb up and down her clit.

  “Hey, hey…” She slowed, putting her hands on my chest. “Slow.”

  “Am I hurting you?” I rose up to one elbow, keeping my thumb still on her clit, but not pulling out of her.

  “A little. I’m okay, but just… slow.” She wiped the sleep from her eyes as she arched back in response to our grinding. “You… feel so good.”

  “You don’t feel so bad yourself, my dear.” I felt my cheeks redden, oddly enough. I was actually really enjoying the casual chitchat while I was being thrust in and out of her.

  I caressed her clit until she buckled over on top of me, admitting that I had already made her come. Through her exhaustion and the fact that she had already gone on to orgasm, I could tell she was about to be pretty worthless, so I took over the work load. Lifting her on and off my aching cock, her body was my plaything, and I treated it as such. When I was just about to come, I flipped her on her back and pounded into her until I finished all over her bare stomach.

  God it was hot. She was hot. And it was exactly how I wanted to wake up.

  “Now it’s four forty-five. You have to be in the pool in fifteen minutes.” I ran my finger around her hard nipples.

  Her eyes stayed closed as she begged me for mercy. “Let’s just sleep a little longer. We’ll do the pool thing tomorrow.”

  No matter how much I wanted to succumb to her charms, to fall back asleep to the sound of her breathing, I knew by doing that, we would be going down a very dark path.

  So instead, I got up, turned on the shower, lifted her light, limp body over my shoulder, and placed her in the tub. “I told you that your nights were yours, and you could do whatever you’d like with them. You chose to spend your free time fucking me, Hannah. But at five a.m., it’s back to work, and you’re required to do as your superior officer commands. Does that make sense?”

  With water running down her face, she looked up at me with pain in her eyes. I had become a different person than the one I was last night, or even ten minutes earlier. But I had to be. At work, I had to be hard. And I still had something to prove. If that meant fucking a girl one day and then forcing her to go above and beyond the required training the next day, then so be it.

  Either I would mold her into someone I’d bet my life on, or she’d fail out, and my work would be done.

  She knew that going in. I didn’t feel bad.

  I went downstairs to make myself coffee and heard her slip out the front door without so much as a goodbye not two minutes later.

  Good. I didn’t want to have to kiss her goodbye anyway.

  Thirty minutes later, when I stepped poolside, Hannah was in the water, doing laps. She’d swim the full length, flip around, and get another halfway down before she’d stop to tread water. She must not have noticed I was there, for she kept doing it: over and over again. But she didn’t stop; she didn’t give up. I had to hand it to her: she was a fighter.

  Yet again, I was impressed.

  I snuck out before she noticed I was there, and waited in the green room for her to meet me at oh six hundred hours.

  “How was the pool?” I called out to her the second she stepped through the doors, sadly out of her swimsuit, and into her required dress for the physical fitness portion.

  “Cold.” She offered a perfunctory smile.

  “Hannah, I demand respect. Not your attitude.” I reminded her of our roles in this little game.

  Her smile faded. “It was fine, sir. I’ll be able to pass the test by the end of the two weeks.”

  “That’s good to hear. Now let’s go.” I stood; motioning back to the door
through which she had just came.

  “Go where?” She asked, although she followed right on my heels.

  “We have a progress meeting with the Command Sergeant Major, to make sure we’re… getting along nicely.” I swallowed my words; oddly afraid that she would say something that might cause the Major to separate us. It occurred to me in that moment that I really didn’t want that to happen.

  “Interesting.” I saw a gleam in her eye.

  “Not funny, Hannah. Don’t do anything stupid.” I warned. “It’ll mess this up for both of us.”

  “Okay.” She smiled a smile that I didn’t at all trust, before we both stepped into the Sergeant Major’s office.

  “Hello, Ms. Birk.” He stood from behind his desk. “Charlie, leave us.”

  “But sir,” I began to argue.

  “You’re excused.”

  There was no fighting him. He commanded and deserved respect and power. And for as long as I could remember, I had been made to give him just that.

  My fate was now in the hands of a girl who I would admit I hadn’t been treating the best, and if she wanted to, she could get me in some real trouble.